Death is never easy for us to consider, and when it is forced on us by the sudden passing of a loved one, it is one of the most difficult things  for us to understand and deal with emotionally, physically and spiritually. This has occurred to us this week at Life International.

Death is a part of life, we know this, but, we simply are never fully prepared to face the reality of death especially if it occurs unexpectantly. We find ourselves being forced to enter a tragedy that brings with it nasty and yet necessary emotions. We have entered a time of grieving. When we choose to love someone we choose to experience the full range of emotion that comes with that choice. When the one we love dies we hurt deeply. Thats because we chose to love. When they die we fight this reality with any emotion that we can grab on to that will help us cope with the loss.

The grieving period includes feelings of shock, denial, anger, depression and a variety of other emotions. During this time we must not allow these emotions to hold us in a place of bitterness, anger and depression. We will struggle emotionally for awhile. Struggle will not go away but, we must make every effort to struggle well during this time.

Struggling well begins with reaching out to one another. We need each other and we have a lot to offer each other. It’s a time to be patient with one another. It’s a time to offer abundant grace to each other. We need to be good listeners and not counselors.

 But most importantly, we desperately need to seek the one who is able to bring peace to our hearts. He guides us in our struggle.

During the course of his life and ministry, Jesus experienced all of the struggles that we face today.  As you read through Scripture, passage after passage, you will find that Jesus felt distress and loneliness and the pain that we experience.  He felt what we feel this very hour. When faced with the death of his dear friend Lazarus, Jesus was filled with emotion and wept. (John 11:35)

Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd who feels, who cares, who knows the burden.  He lived on this earth like us. Felt heartache and grief and loved us so much that He gave His own life for our ransom.  He Gave His life for our dear friend who has passed away and He has given His life for you. 

Don’t forget that Jesus is the Lord of compassion. He knows you better than anyone ever could. He wants to meet with you. Go to Him during this time and He will comfort you as no human ever could.

Matthew 11:28

 Jesus says, “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

When we put our faith in Jesus, death is not permanent. Jesus came as the Son of God to die for us, that we might have eternal life with Him. 

John 11:25-26

“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus defeated death itself.  And because of this incredible act of God, we have hope.

God is a loving God and as you put your faith in him, as you choose to believe in Him, you will have hope forever.  Believe this, for this is our strength and our only hope. This is the Amazing Grace that our Lord offers each and everyone of us!

 

Be a Host

Be a Host

reCAPTCHA